When the A&E reality series Duck Dynasty premiered in 2012, it quickly captured the nation and sparked immense fascination into the bizarre lives of the Robertson family.
Perhaps it was the men's matching long beards; or maybe it was their rustic lifestyle and strange obsession with hunting - but something about them resulted in millions around the globe avidly tuning in each episode for 11 seasons.
The show followed patriarch Phil Robertson, his wife, Marsha 'Miss Kay,' and their enormous brood of four kids, their spouses, and multiple grandkids as they ran a multi-million dollar duck call empire, which was started by Phil decades earlier.
The series quickly shot the family into stardom, and it left many in awe of Phil's rags to riches story - but his growing fanbase was blissfully unaware that the booming business man and newfound reality sensation had a very dark past.
The rise and fall of the family behind the wildly popular A&E show Duck Dynasty is going to be retold in an upcoming movie called The Blind
The series shot the Robertson family into stardom, and it left many in awe of patriarch Phil's rags to riches story. He grew up extremely poor but launched a multi-million duck call empire
The small-town Louisiana man grew up so poor that his family didn't have electricity or a toilet. But thanks to his impressive athletic abilities he defied the odds and was offered a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech.
After college, he was invited to join the NFL - but he turned it down to focus on his other passion: hunting.
In the early '70s, he created a wooden instrument that could create a noise that sounded almost exactly like one a real duck would make - a vital instrument to those in the hunting world.
But his growing fanbase was blissfully unaware that the booming business man and newfound reality sensation had a very dark past. As the world prepares for the new flick, FEMAIL recapped his journey from poverty stricken child to triumphant mogul to disgraced reality star
Fast forward to decades later, the self-made entrepreneur was portrayed as a devoted family man and devout Christian on the show - but the virtuous image that he worked so hard to create would eventually come crashing down.
His reputation was shattered when he made a series of shocking anti-gay and racist comments years later, which resulted in him nearly being kicked off the show.
It was also brought to light that his problems secretly started long before he and his family were propelled into the spotlight on the show - as his wife later revealed that the early years of their marriage were plagued with Phil's wild partying, excessive drinking, multiple infidelities, and 'scary' temper.
She has spoken of his 'mean and cruel' comments, and recalled him getting into violent brawls with people in his drunken rages, which once resulted in her having to fork over their entire savings to avoid him going to jail.
Miss Kay eventually reached her breaking point and took the children and left Phil, which served as the wake-up call he desperately needed - and it was then that he 'found God' and turned his life around.
The Robertson's rise and fall from grace is now set to be retold in an upcoming movie entitled The Blind, which will hit theaters on September 28, 2023.
It's going to lay bare the 'origins of the beloved family with an authenticity that will surprise and inspire millions of fans,' according to the film's producer, Zach Dasher, who is also Phil's nephew.
As the world prepares for the new flick, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped Phil's rollercoaster ride journey from poverty stricken child to triumphant mogul to disgraced reality star.
Phil's rise to the top: How he went from a poverty-stricken child who grew up in a home with no electricity or toilet to owning a multi-million dollar duck call empire and a reality TV sensation
Phil grew up in Vivian, Louisiana, with six siblings, and his family struggled financially - leaving him with no electricity, bathtub, or toilet in his home as a child
Before becoming a reality sensation and successful businessman, Phil was a skilled athlete - playing football, baseball, and track during high school
Phil grew up in Vivian, Louisiana, with six siblings, and his family struggled financially - leaving him with no electricity, bathtub, or toilet in his home as a child.
When it came time for college, he headed to Louisiana Tech - where he earned a football scholarship and played as the quarterback for the school's team, The Bulldogs
Due to their lack of money, the family relied heavily on hunting to get their food, which instilled a fierce love of the activity in him from a young age.
In his memoir, he said it was like growing up in 'the 1850s,' adding, 'But we were always happy, no matter the circumstances.'
Before becoming a reality sensation and successful businessman, Phil was a skilled athlete - playing football, baseball, and track during high school.
He started dating his future wife, Miss Kay, in 1964, when they were classmates in high school, and they were married two years later.
When it came time for college, he headed to Louisiana Tech - where he earned a football scholarship and played as the quarterback for the school's team, The Bulldogs.
And while he was offered a position on the NFL team The Washington Redskins after he graduated, he ultimately turned it down so he could focus on his other passion: hunting
Everything changed for him in 1972, when he invented a wooden instrument that could make a duck call that was almost exact to the real sound that the animal makes
And while he was offered a position on the NFL team The Washington Redskins after he graduated, he ultimately turned it down because he was worried it would leave him with not enough time to go hunting.
The creation lead to him launching his company Duck Commander a year later, which went on to become a multi-million dollar business
After he finished school, Phil worked a series of odd jobs while trying to make ends meet - he was a teacher, a commercial fisherman, and ran a bar.
All the while, he spent almost every free moment he had in the woods or on a boat shooting down birds.
Everything changed for him in 1972, when he invented a wooden instrument that could make a duck call that was almost exact to the real sound that the animal makes.
The creation lead to him launching his company Duck Commander a year later, which went on to become a multi-million dollar business that now sells a slew of other hunting supplies like face paint, deer calls, fishing lures and hooks, and tools to help butcher the animals you kill.
For decades, Phil continued to build his duck empire - all while his family grew. He and Miss Kay welcomed four kids together over the years, who went on to give him 17 grandchildren
In the early 2010s, the enormous brood's obsession with hunting, devout Christian views, and bizarre rugged looks lead to the show Duck Dynasty. The family is seen in a promo shot for it
It followed Phil, his wife, Marsha 'Miss Kay,' and their four kids as they ran their booming business and went on for 11 seasons. Phil is pictured for the show with three of his sons
For decades, Phil continued to build his duck empire - all while his family grew. He and Miss Kay welcomed four kids together over the years, who went on to have tons of children of their own - and the couple now have 17 grandkids in total and many great-grandchildren.
In the early 2010s, the enormous brood's obsession with hunting, devout Christian views, and bizarre rugged looks caught the attention of A&E.
The network launched the reality show Duck Dynasty - which followed the Robertson family's day-to-day lives as they ran their booming business - in 2012.
It was immensely popular, and it went on for 11 seasons before coming to an end in 2017, garnering millions of views along the way.
His dark past: Phil spent years as a wild partier and had a nasty temper, with his wife describing him as 'scary' and 'very cruel' - until he found God and turned his life around
Miss Kay later revealed in her memoir that her husband had a very dark past filled with wild partying, multiple affairs, and violent brawls. They're seen early on in their romance
They started dating in 1964, when they were classmates in high school, and they were married two years later
Miss Kay later recalled how Phil would drink excessive amounts of alcohol in the early years of their romance - and claimed that he was unfaithful to her on numerous occasions
Phil's problems secretly started long before the family was propelled into the spotlight on the show.
She also spoke out about his fiery temper, writing, 'It was scary to me. The drinking got worse. He would be mad and would be in and out like a flash'
Miss Kay later revealed in her memoir that her husband had a very dark past filled with wild partying, multiple affairs, and violent brawls.
She recalled how he would drink excessive amounts of alcohol in the early years of their romance - and claimed that he was unfaithful to her on numerous occasions.
She also spoke out about his fiery temper, writing, 'It was scary to me. The drinking got worse. He would be mad and would be in and out like a flash.'
She recalled one occasion when he got into an explosive fight with a bar owner, which resulted in her having to bribe the man with almost all of the money they had in the bank so he wouldn't press charges.
She described Phil during those years as 'mean and very cruel' while chatting with Fox.
'He would get mean and very cruel with his words. He became more and more mean and mean-spirited,' she said.
She described Phil during those years as 'mean and very cruel' while chatting with Fox. They're seen early on in their romance with two of their kids
She said they ended up separating for a few months, and being apart made Phil want to turn things around so he could get his family back. They're seen together recently
It was then that he turned to the Christian religion and since then, he has become a prominent member of the religion, and often gives speeches at church events
'I would tell my sons, "That’s not your daddy. That is the devil in your daddy. Your dad is a good man. He has a good heart but right now the he's letting the devil control him."'
She explained that they ended up separating for a few months, and being apart made Phil want to turn things around so he could get his family back. It was then that he turned to the Christian religion.
Miss Kay continued to Fox, '[The old] Phil's dead and buried. He's a new Phil now. It worked out.'
Since then, Phil has become a prominent member of the religion, and often gives speeches at church events.
Phil's fall from grace: The star was almost kicked off the show after he claimed that homosexuality was a 'sin' in an interview - and he has made a slew of other controversial comments since then
Phil was portrayed as a devoted family man and devout Christian on the show - but the virtuous image that he worked so hard to create would eventually come crashing down
In 2013, Phil's reputation was shattered when he made a series of shocking and problematic comments to GQ magazine. He branded homosexuality as a 'sin'
In 2013, Phil's reputation was shattered when he made a series of shocking and problematic comments to GQ magazine, which almost got him kicked off the show.
He branded homosexuality as a 'sin' and put it into the same category as participating in beastality and adultery.
'It seems like, to me, a vagina - as a man - would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me,' he said.
'I'm just thinking: There's more there. She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes.
'You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin - It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical.'
He added that he believed gay people were 'deceiving themselves and 'wouldn't inherit the kingdom of God.'
In the wake of his controversial statements, A&E announced that Phil had been suspended from the show indefinitely.
'We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,' it said in a statement at the time.
While Phil (seen center with his kids and friends) was originally suspended from the show, the network reversed the suspension after his dedicated fans started a Facebook page
Even so, Phil's image had already been tarnished. And it didn't help that he continued to make many more eyebrow-raising admissions that continuously put him in hot water
'His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community.'
Amid the backlash, Phil's family made it clear they were sticking by him, and slammed the network for faulting Phil for 'expressing his faith.'
They stated, 'While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible.
'Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
'Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.
'We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.
'We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty.'
While Phil's comments garnered tons of criticism from the public, his loyal fans also came to his defense.
Someone created a Facebook page dedicated to getting him back on the show, and it got more than one million likes. Nine days later, A&E reversed his suspension.
In 2015, Phil (seen with his book recently) said he believed that STDs were God's way of punishing 'immoral' people
Almost a year later, Phil spoke out about the ordeal for the first time to ABC, and he insisted: 'I don't hate anybody.'
He also once said people who are part of ISIS should be 'converted or killed' and that black people were 'happy' before the civil rights movement
When asked if he considered himself a homophobe, he said, 'I'm as much of a homophobe as Jesus was.
'The people who are participating in homosexual behavior, they need to know that I love them.'
Even so, Phil's image had already been tarnished. And it didn't help that he continued to make many more eyebrow-raising admissions that continuously put him in hot water.
In 2015, he said he believed that STDs were God's way of punishing 'immoral' people, and months later, he supported an anti-transgender law regarding gender-neutral bathrooms.
'Men should use the men's bathroom and women should use the women's bathroom,' he told The Hollywood Reporter.
'Just because a man may "feel" like a woman doesn't mean he should be able to share a bathroom with my daughter, or yours. That used to be called common sense. Now it's called bigoted.'
He also once said people who are part of ISIS should be 'converted or killed' and that black people were 'happy' before the civil rights movement.
Shocking new family member: Phil discovered in 2020 that he had a secret fifth child - a daughter who was born without his knowledge after he had an affair in the '70s
In 2020, Phil discovered that he had a secret fifth child - a daughter, named Phyliss, that was born without his knowledge after he had an affair in the '70s. They're seen together recently
In May 2020, Phil shocked the world when revealed he had discovered that he had a secret fifth child - a daughter that was born without his knowledge after he had an affair in the '70s.
The Today show reported that he made the revelation after the woman, named Phyliss, sent a letter to Phil's son Al to let him know that she had participated in an online DNA test and that they were a match.
Phil then did his own DNA test and discovered that they were a 99.9 per cent match.
While discussing it on his podcast, Phil described meeting his daughter, then 45, for the first time as a moment of 'redemption, reconciliation, love.'
The Robertson family have since grown close with Phyliss, and now, she often pops up on their social media accounts and is spotted hanging out with them.
Even Miss Kay has formed a strong bond with Phyliss, despite her being the product of Phil's infidelities.
The Robertson family have since grown close with Phyliss, and now, she often pops up on their social media accounts and is spotted hanging out with them
Since the show ended in 2017, the family, shrouded in scandal thanks to Phil's controversial outlook, stayed largely out of the spotlight. They're seen recently
But now, they're excited for his story to be retold in the upcoming biopic, The Blind, which will premiere on September 28
Phil's granddaughters Sadie and Korie Robertson told E! News earlier this year that Phyliss joining the family was 'such a beautiful thing.'
They added of Miss Kay, 'From day one, she just welcomed her with opened arms. She became part of the family very early on.'
Since the show ended in 2017, the family, shrouded in scandal thanks to Phil's controversial outlook, stayed largely out of the spotlight.
But now, they're excited for his story to be retold in the upcoming biopic.
Kori discussed the upcoming film with E!, and while she admitted it was 'emotional' and 'really hard' to relive some of Phil's messy past, she hopes it will change the public's perception of him. But if it doesn't, it won't bother them.
'We always go back to, "OK, what is most important? Who do we care about?" Those who really knows us - that's who you really have to listen to,' she shared.
'It's people that you sit across the table from whose opinion really matters [not the public]. We try to live our life that way.'
As for whether or not the family will ever return to reality TV, she dished, 'Maybe, we'll see.'
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